The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-11
RELIGIOUS SERVICES UNDER 4 TENT.
The Colored People Improve Upon the Camp
Meeting Methods of their White Brethren.

camp-meeting is in progress 1t Brucs's
Park. at the head OF College avenue It il .
camp-meeting OF coiored people. and quite a
number of white persons went there yesterday
under the impression that devotion would take
on some uncouth, energetic and mirth- provoking
phases On nearing the entrance to the park
the refreshments stands doomed up. for at all
mp-meetngs, no matter what the race, sex or
previous condition of the participants, refresh
ment for the perishable clay goes hand in hand
with sustentation of the immortal spirit. Wa
ter melon displayed in most seductive
slices and the invitation to lemonade bath,
here's ; long cool drink for five cents" was not
to be declined on SO warm day.
The facetious colored man was on the ground,
near the entrance, to astonish each arriving ac-
quaintance with his little joke. .If you want
ter heah de preachin'n says this humorist
you'll have to go nearah de coapit"
The services conducted under large
tent. which. being insufficient to seat as large
audiences expected, frame shed, open
all round at the sides, has been joined to it.
The meetings. under the auspices of the African
NJ. E. Church began last Friday with q service
of prayer and song, and will continue until and
in Guiding week from next Sunday, July "a
The services tonight will be conducted by Rev.
Felter. of Plainield, o., and during the week
Rev. J. M. Townsend, of Richmond, and Rev.
o. p. Ross of Springfield. o.. will conduct
services. Until next Sunday admission will be
free. The grounds in excellent order and
arrangements are good for lighting up the park
during evening services.
There disappointment to the few who
expecting Co see the rough and tumble back
woods or .Ole Virginny" style of worshiping
1t was not picnic. Everything was done de-
Gently and in order. The colored people were
well dressed, well behaved and during the
vices were attentive and seemingly devout
listeners Seated upon the platform were Ell
der Gazaway, Elder Thompson. DR.. S. A. Ell
bert. of this city; Rev. R. S. FELTON,, OF Plain
field; Rev. B. f. Arnett, of Wilberforce College,
O., and Rev. l. Ell. Mcconnell, the well-known
pastor of Roberts Park M. E. Church.
In the afternoon the principal speaker
Rev. B. +. Arnett, a of education and
gifted IS a speaker. His dictlon is as clean and
clear as that of nine out Of ten preachers who
are born with a white skin, and from his utter
ance alone no one could tell that he was q
negro. He spoke to the audience on their duties
to each other to society. to their country and to
their Maker, and touched all the strings of
rhetonic from the coolest common-sense to the
most fervid pathos. The audience was more
demonstrative at times than white conErega
the occasion required, for while he spoke to
them men and citizens he more particularly
addressed them as belonging to his own race.
and the responses, the deep 'amens" and "glory
to God" that he evoked. showed their profound
interest and added to the force of the preachers
remarks The singing was such as ia seldom
heard in white churches The congregation
sang if they had their heart in it, and their
faces glowed as they sang 1sNearer My God to
Thee"
There was no laughing or talking Eear tho
tent while services were going on, the utmost de-
corum prevailing, which is strong contrast
with the usual camp-meeting conduct and there
was not only not single drunken man on the
ground, but not one who could even be suspected
of having imbibed anything spirituous 1T is
the quietest crowd we have had here for many
a day. said gentleman living in tho
neigh borhood. ssThere has been many gallon
of beer sold out here Sundays. but there will
not be- my to-day Our colored friends very
strict about thing of that kind